Your smartphone is vulnerable in numerous ways. Take the necessary measures that I have listed below in order to guarantee maximum security for your device. You won’t regret it.

Set A Password Or PIN Lock

Your phone holds host to a wide range of sensitive data that could be exposed to those with malicious intent. This may include: personal photos, mobile contacts, texts and emails. For this reason, you should ensure you have set a password of reasonable length including letters, numbers and symbols if possible or a 4-digit PIN. This will prevent any nosy people or thieves from accessing this information.

Enable ‘Do Not Track’ In Your Browser

When submitting information online, websites tend to collect and utilise this data to serve you relevant adverts. By enabling the aforementioned option, websites are asked to refrain from collecting any data from its users. Safari for iOS and Google Chrome for Android are two examples of internet browsers that have this setting available. You should note that this doesn’t necessarily guarantee your data will not be collected as not all websites adhere to this policy.

Toggle Number Blocking When Necessary

When calling a business, there may be occasions where they collect your number. It is a good idea to enable a number block as it has been reported that some businesses will attempt to sell this and any information linked to it. For those not keen on continuously toggling number block, there are services such as: Google Voice which enable you to easily block incoming calls from numbers which aren’t already in your address book.

Avoid Answering Spam Calls Where Possible

There are many telemarketing businesses which will try to call your number from a list just to see whether they’ll get through. Once you pick up, you’re guaranteed to receive calls from them more frequently. The other issue is that they will probably sell your contact to another firm meaning you’ll receive even more contact and in some cases, texts. And with each text received, you may be charged depending on your tariff.

Rather than answering the call and removing any uncertainty, you should set up a caller ID solution where you will be able to find out who is trying to reach you. For Android users, download an application called Current Caller ID created by a developer called Whitepages. This will display caller information within a small window on the incoming caller screen. If you’re using iOS you will need to follow a slightly less efficient method. As you receive the call you will need to take a screenshot of the window and send it to the application to identify the caller.

Locating A Lost Or Stolen Smartphone Using Recovery Apps

Ever experienced that mini heart attack moment after losing your smartphone? With recovery apps for Android and iOS, you can eliminate those concerns. Lock your phone’s interface remotely to prevent intruders accessing it and you can find its GPS location.

Assign Owner Contact Information To The Device

If you end up losing your smartphone and a decent person finds it, how are they going to know what to do? You should add enough contact information to your phone so that the person is able to reach you. For starters, you wouldn’t need your whole name but a forename and the initial of your surname is useful. Alongside this, you should include a phone number of a friend or relative that can get in contact with you regarding the lost device.

Ensure Your Device Is Physically Secure

Regardless of whether you have taken precautions to secure your phone using application software, you still need to make sure it is physically secure. Whether you choose to store it in a bag or pocket, it should be hard for other people to access. If you are holding it then be sure to have a tight grip of the device and to not advertise it wherever possible.

I hope that these tips help prevent the chances of your phone or personal information being stolen.